- Confession from AstraZeneca about vaccine
- Europe’s trial to solve its trade problems with Biden
- President Trump’s statements to the journalists
Confession from AstraZeneca About Vaccine
There are ongoing trust debates regarding the vaccine, which was developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University. The vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University was announced with the slogan “Get yourself a vaccine”, pointing out that it is cheaper than a cup of coffee.
According to the New York Times, Astrazeneca using the phrase ‘up to 90%’ when announcing the vaccine, the lack of some information about the vaccine in the statement, and the questions why the first vaccine was administered half a dose aroused.
Many scientists and industry experts highlighted that AstraZeneca’s initial shortcomings in the way the data were disclosed, the way the vaccine was administered, eroded their confidence in the reliability of the results.
AstraZeneca has sparked controversy, admitting that there was a significant mistake in the vaccine dosage received by some participants, since the New York Times released preliminary results that were reported to be 90% effective.
Many scientists and industry experts highlighted that AstraZeneca’s initial lack of explanation of the data, many mistakes such as the way the vaccine was administered, undermined their confidence in the reliability of the results.
In particular, US officials underlined that the results, which are announced as 90% effective, do not reflect the data of the elderly, and that the results are not clear.
Authorities said this made it less likely that the US or other countries’ approval authorities would quickly grant the AstraZeneca – University of Oxford vaccine emergency use, and this was a glitch.
AstraZeneca’s director of research and development, Menelas Pangalos stated that:
‘’ The error in the dosage was made by an employee, he was notified immediately when detected, and he signed a plan to continue testing the vaccine at different doses.’’
However, Natalie Dean, a biostatistician at the University of Florida, said that “they got a poor grade in terms of transparency and rigor in their reported results.”
Europe’s Trial to Solve its Trade Problems with Biden
By approaching president-elect Joe Biden’s team early on, France and Germany are seeking to normalize trading relationships between the European Union and the United States.
France and Germany are preparing to contact Joe Biden’s team to resolve trade issues between the US and Europe.
The most important agenda for France is to solve the $12 billion customs duty on products between the two countries due to the aircraft production dispute, while Germany wants to restart free trade negotiations.
Johann Wadephul, foreign policy expert and vice-chair of the committee at Chancellor Merkel’s party, stated that:
“We are ready to start the conversations as quickly as possible. “
Then French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said, “I hope that the Biden administration can offer a new beginning for the relations between Europe and the USA.”
The most important issue where Germany, France, and Europe are united is the removal of the Trump administration’s tariffs on European steel and aluminum, new tax regulations for digital transnational companies, and a reform of the World Trade Organization.
President Trump’s Statements to the Journalists
After the video conference held with the American soldiers who were serving abroad, President Trump made a few statements to the journalists for the first time. He announced that if the Electoral College finalized the presidency of Joe Biden it would be a wrong step, but he would still leave the White House.
Referring to the second-round election in Georgia that will determine whether the Senate will be controlled by Republicans or Democrats, Trump announced that he will probably hold a rally for Republican senator candidates in Georgia on Saturday.
Repeating the claims that the Democrats cheated the elections and that they were the real winner, Trump said,
“One thing I know is that Joe Biden didn’t actually get 80 million votes. Also, Biden didn’t break Barack Obama’s black vote record.”
Trump was asked whether he will leave office if Biden got approved as the winner. He answered in the following way:
“It is difficult to accept the election results because there is a large-scale irregularity. If the Electoral Council approves the presidency of Biden, which of course will be a mistake, I will leave the White House. You know that.’’
